Thanks to the Country Music Hall of Fame for providing tour tickets for us. All thoughts are my own.

Let's time travel to the 1700s at the height of immigration and the start of the US. Our European, African, and Hispanic ancestors migrated to America in search of a better life and a land of prosperity. As they settled, they brought with them their customs, traditions, and music. 

Country Music, at its core roots, is expanded from the musical selections integrated from the melting pot of our ancestors: folk music, African instruments, and Spanish influences all make up of what we now know as country music. The development from folk to hillbilly, to Appalachia bluegrass, to country, to outlaw country, to modern pop country is all influenced and developed from parts of our past roots. 

The Country Music Hall of Fame isn't just for country music fans, although the core of this museum portrays country music. Learn about the roots of music, it's foundations, and how it developed throughout the centuries through self-guided tours that probably take between an hour and half to two hours to complete. There are several on-property and off-property exhibits that will help your family learn about music in general, and of course the particulars of Country Music, which is what Nashville is well known for.

First, take an elevator up to the second floor and make your way through the beginnings of Country Music. As you venture back to the first floor, you learn about the influence of rock on music, and how it continues to develop into what we have today.

The lower lobby, where you purchase tickets, is also a nice casual place to rest in some AC, take a break with a snack, or get out of the rain as well. No food or drinks, except sealable water bottles, are allowed within the galleries, as well as no video recording too. 

I loved seeing the exhibits that show off the early years of folk music, eventually becoming country music in the 1920s & 30s. Seeing names like Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, and the likes of these great stars help us to understand how country music developed and why it became such the big name it is today. Fast-forward through exhibits that highlight Outlaw Country (a term I didn't know existed until I went through the museum), one can see how modern rock and country influences infiltrated the world. Don't forget the displays of Patty Loveless, Eric Church, and today's modern stars. 

Be sure to visit the Taylor Swift display if you are a Swiftie fan (apparently my 13 yr old niece is firmly NOT a Swiftie) and check out the greats in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Learn how people are inducted into the hall of fame and who the first ones were! There's also a sign that shows who the newbies are as well.

If you have young children with you, the museum offers a myriad of activities to help your youngster become engaged and learn a little bit of something while having fun. There's a Young Explorer Kit available but also lots of youth and family programs for your school breaks and museum adventures through the Taylor Swift Education Center. 

The Country Music Hall of Fame is the only place where you can purchase tickets to visit the RCA studio and take a tour of how records are created and made. We didn't get to do this tour, but I've been told it's a must if you are a music lover.

Some of my favorite highlights from the Country Music Hall of Fame are:

• learning about the suits that early Country Music Stars wore. Made by a tailor named Nudie Cohn, these fashionable suits are decked out in rhinestones, studs, fringe, and other outrageous designs and patterns. Once you wore a Nudie suit on stage, you knew you made the big time! 
• Seeing Nudie's customized car, complete with steer horns. Glance over, and you also see Elvis's Gold Cadillac as well!

• Learning about Outlaw country and how modern country takes its roots from rock n roll influences, protests, and all the things that make up the 60s & 70s. 
• Seeing the Hall of Fame was an experience I won't forget. The names, the legends, the influences of the plates on the wall is very emotionally, regardless of whether you like country music or not. Just thinking about all the work, the labor, and the love that those musicians put into their craft made me want to be the best I can be in my own. 
• Reminiscing about country in the late 80s & 90s, from my own childhood. Revisiting names like Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and seeing what they overcome was amazing.